Astros even series with Cubs after comeback win at Wrigley

Down 3-0 heading into the sixth inning, the Astros got a three-run home run from J.D. Martinez and a go-ahead sacrifice squeeze bunt three frames later from ex-Chicago Cub Ronny Cedeno en route to a 4-3 victory Saturday during an interleague series matchup at Wrigley Field.

With the victory, the Astros (29-47) evened the three-game series. The finale is Sunday.

Astros No. 1 starter Bud Norris allowed six hits and three runs (two earned) in six innings, striking out five and walking three on 97 pitches (63 strikes).

Norris didn’t give up a hit through the initial two innings. A should’ve-been double play in the third that turned into runners on first and second derailed his motion, though, and the Cubs (30-43) jumped ahead 2-0 after Luis Valbuena smacked a two-run single into right field.

Chicago loaded the bases after Valbuena’s hit and placed two runners on with one out in the fourth. Norris pitched out of both innings and held on until the fifth, when Nate Schierholtz blasted a one-out solo home run off a 2-0 92 mph fastball into the right-field patio section, making it 3-0 Cubs.

A first-pitch swing by cleanup hitter J.D. Martinez created a new contest. Following two-out singles by Jose Altuve and Chris Carter, Martinez ripped an 86 mph Travis Wood cutter over the left-field bleachers for a three-run home run. Chicago left fielder Alfonso Soriano barely moved, the baseball ended up on Waveland Ave. and it was suddenly a tie ballgame.

The Astros advanced runners to third base in the seventh and eighth innings. But Brandon Barnes’ 12-pitch at-bat in the former ended in a soft pop up to shallow right field, while Carlos Coropan struck out after going ahead in the count 2-0 to end the latter.

Chicago loaded the bases in the eighth and rookie reliever Jose Cisnero fell behind 2-0, then 3-1 to Darwin Barney. A near ball four ended up with Barney tossing his bat before eventually walking back toward home plate. Cisnero then turned a 96 mph four-seam fastball into a harmless fly out to shallow center field.

Justin Maxwell led off the top of the ninth with a double sliced down the left-field line, then took third on a perfect push bunt by Matt Dominguez. Cedeno followed with an equally perfect squeeze, making it 4-3 Astros, and Jose Veras closed down the bottom of the ninth for his 15th save.

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Photo: Brian Kersey / Associated Press

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June 23: Cubs 14, Astros 6

Astros pitcher Jordan Lyles delivers a throw to the Cubs.

June 23: Cubs 14, Astros 6

Astros pitcher Jordan Lyles delivers a throw to the Cubs.

Photo: Brian Kersey / Associated Press

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Astros catcher Jason Castro can't tag out Anthony Rizzo of the Cubs at home plate.

Astros catcher Jason Castro can't tag out Anthony Rizzo of the Cubs at home plate.

Photo: David Banks / Getty Images

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Chris Carter of the Astros bobbles a ground ball at first base.

Chris Carter of the Astros bobbles a ground ball at first base.

Photo: Brian Kersey / Associated Press

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Marwin Gonzalez of the Astros commits a fielding error against the Cubs.

Marwin Gonzalez of the Astros commits a fielding error against the Cubs.